Browsing by Subject "Master Gardener"
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Item Master Gardener 2015 Annual Report(University of Minnesota Extension, 2015)Item Master Gardener 2016 Annual Report(University of Minnesota Extension, 2016)Item Master Gardener 2017 Annual Report(University of Minnesota Extension, 2017)Item Master Gardener 2018 Annual Report(University of Minnesota Extension, 2018)Item Master Gardener 2019 Annual Report(University of Minnesota Extension, 2019)Item Master Gardener 2020 Annual Report(University of Minnesota Extension, 2020)Item Master Gardener 2021 Annual Report(University of Minnesota Extension, 2021)Item Master Gardener 2021 Seed Trials: Results and Observations(University of Minnesota Extension, 2021)Item Master Gardener 2022 Annual Report(University of Minnesota Extension, 2022)Item Master Gardener 2022 Seed Trials: Results and Observations(University of Minnesota Extension, 2022)Item Master Gardener 2023 Annual Report(University of Minnesota Extension, 2023)Item Master Gardener 2023 Seed Trials: Results and Observations(University of Minnesota Extension, 2023)Item Source, Fall-Winter 2014(University of Minnesota Extension, 2014) University of Minnesota ExtensionItem Source, Spring 2012(University of Minnesota Extension, 2012) University of Minnesota ExtensionItem Source, Spring-Summer 2015(University of Minnesota Extension, 2015) University of Minnesota ExtensionItem Source, Summer 2016(University of Minnesota Extension, 2016) University of Minnesota ExtensionItem University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener CenUSA Biochar Demonstration Gardens 2012-2015(2017) Davenport-Hagen, Lynne; Weisenhorn, Julie; Meyer, Mary H.; Sui, Luna XiaoyeSoil serves as the foundation of all gardens, and thus incorporating beneficial amendments before planting is of the utmost importance to a healthy, roductive crop. Increased interest and research in biomass and biofuels has promoted the use of biochar, a coproduct of the pyrolysis process, as one amendment to improve soil health. Urban soils, the site of many home and community gardens, can be carbon-poor, so we wondered if biochar would benefit home gardeners and grow more productive plants. Soils at four demonstration sites in Minnesota were amended with hardwood biochar. With the help of Extension Master Gardener volunteers, we grew, harvested and measured common garden crops over four years to see if those grown in biochar-amended soils were more productive. Variables in weather, crops and volunteer interpretation of data did not provide conclusive results. However, the poorer soils amended with biochar showed some increase in soil pH and percent organic matter, and clay loam soils were less compacted. Most crop yields showed improvement over the four years; however, we believe these increased yields were likely affected by a combination of factors (rainfall, air temperatures) and cannot be directly attributed to the addition of biochar.Item What is a Master Gardener?(Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays (JOIE), 2021-11-03) Ellis, LyndaFor those of us who embrace digging holes, weeding, and watering, the Master Gardener program offered through the University of Minnesota Extension Service provides amateur horticulturists a way to learn, teach, and engage the community in gardening. Master Gardeners come from all walks of life and share gardening best practices that promote healthy landscapes, healthy foods and healthy lives. This article is an introduction to master gardening, with a brief history of the national and local programs, description of the steps toward becoming a Master Gardener, and a sampling of local Minnesota county activities.